LISTED: Top 3 Drones For Real Estate Agents in 2018

Earlier this year DJI released the all new Mavic Air folding drone.  Before that drone launch, the DJI Mavic Pro & Platinum were DJI’s only folding drones capable of recording in 4K.  But the biggest complaint about the Mavic Pro drones was image quality.  Most drone enthusiasts feel that a camera sensor capable of recording 4K should have higher quality images.

If you’re most serious about image quality, you’ll quickly turn to the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, also known as the P4P.  A fixed wing quadcopter with a bigger, better camera than the Mavic Pro/Platinum. The P4P records high quality 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and captures amazing still photos with it’s 20 megapixel 1″ CMOS sensor.

The Mavic Pro/Platinum drones capture 4K video up to 30 frames per second, however still photos are captured with a smaller, 12 megapixel camera.

And the new Mavic Air, a smaller version of the Mavic Pro that has a better camera is also a candidate you should consider.

Trying to decide which is the best drone for a professional real estate agent comes down to three factors: price, size and image quality.

#1 Choice – DJI Phantom 4 Pro – $1399

As we mentioned above, the P4P has the most superior camera: a 1″ 20 megapixel sensor.  Hands down it is the best camera in this review.

All DJI products are equally easy to fly using the DJI GO 4 app on your smartphone or tablet.  So if image quality is the #1 deciding factor for you, then the DJI Phantom 4 Pro might be right for you.

With a US$1499 price tag, this fixed wing quadcopter comes with two sets of propellers, a remote control, cables and one Intelligent Flight Battery good for 30 minutes per charge.

You’ll want to add an additional battery or two, so your valuable time isn’t wasted waiting for a charge.  We also recommend a set of ND filters which will make your cinematography as smooth as butter.

Pros:

• best video image quality
• best photo image quality
• best flight performance
• best range (7km), tied with Mavic Pro

Cons:

• most expensive
• larger size, does not fold
• noise

#2 Choice – DJI Mavic Air – $999

Putting the new DJI Mavic Air ahead of the Mavic Pro/Platinum drones might surprise some people, but hear us out.

If you’re filming a typical real estate scenario in a residential situation, the lack of rear sensors on the Mavic Pro is going be a disadvantage…especially to an infrequent flyer like a real estate agent.  Second, the Mavic Air has a superior camera to the Mavic Pro in that it can record 4K video at a higher speed than the Mavic Pro.  Faster write speed means incrementally better quality.

And while it’s nice to be able to shoot in 4k, we know that most users are probably shooting in 1080p for more manageable file sizes and because very few screens in use today are actually able to render 4K.  So at 1080p the Mavic Air will shoot at a frame rate as high as 120 frames per second.  The Mavic Pro only shoots up to 96 frames per second.

Most real estate videos we’ve seen include slower-motion segments that add a beautiful, cinematic effect to the presentation.  Mavic Air wins here.

With three batteries in the Mavic Air Fly More Combo you have as much as 63 minutes of flight time, with it’s 21 minute battery….just 6 minutes less per battery than the Mavic Pro. That’s more than enough to capture a well planned listing shoot.  And with the 8GB of on board storage in the Mavic Air you have some bonus room if you need it for more photos or extra video.

The Mavic Air also has a built-in QuickShot mode that takes a 32megapixel 360 degree spherical panorama like the one below.  It’s simple to create, and is ideal for Real Estate sales.

The Mavic Air flies using an enhanced wifi signal from the remote control that allows for range up to 4km.

The Mavic Air Fly More Combo is priced at US$999.  So you’re getting better video, a smaller size, on board storage for US$300 less than a Mavic Pro Combo?  That’s easy math.

Pros:

• small, compact folding size
• best price $999
• video quality
• on board memory

Cons:

• least battery life of the top 3

#3 Choice – DJI Mavic Pro/Platinum – $1299

While we’re talking about the Mavic Pro and Mavic Pro Platinum almost interchangeably, they are exactly the same drone except for two subtle differences: the Mavic Pro Platinum has enhanced motor control and propellers that make it quieter and extend battery life modestly.  You can add the special quieter propellers to the Mavic Pro and achieve a slight improvement.  Other than that they are the identical drones.

The Mavic Pro is the first generation of DJI’s suite of folding drones, and it’s due to be replaced very shortly by the DJI Mavic Pro II.  So one thing it has going for it is a likely price drop once the replacement model is launched, somtime later this year.

The Mavic Pro is almost twice the size of the new Mavic Air, which does lend it some extra stability in windier conditions.

As we mentioned above it shoots 4K up to 30 frames per second and captures 18 megapixel stills which is probably perfectly acceptable for use in real estate situation.

Pros:

• stability
• enhanced remote
• 7km range, tied with Phantom 4 Pro

Cons:

• price $1399
• no rear sensors
• soon to be replaced

Most buyers looking at real estate listings won’t be able to tell the difference between a 4K video and a 1080p video.  Which means the decision is usually based on priced.  Many Realtors we’ve been talking to since the Mavic Air arrived are already using them or plan to add one to their office shortly.

We think that’s a wise choice, because vendors expect high-quality value-adds like a professional short video.  If you’re not doing it, then you’re already a step below your competition in getting the listing in the first place.  And based on what we know about real estate, your first sale using aerial imaging will more than pay for the investment your making in your future revenue.

Special Mention – DJI Osmo Mobile 2 – $129

Drones aren’t always the most practical camera to use for indoor shots (but it’s definitely possible using Tripod mode) so we always recommend the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 to Realtors as well.  My teenager calls it a “$129 selfie stick” but in reality it’s a powerful, feature packed hand held stabilizer for your smartphone.

Simply connect your iPhone or Android smartphone and record buttery smooth video walking through rooms.  And the Osmo Mobile 2 has pre-programmed modes as well.  You can automatically record sweeping panorama videos of a landscape or room with ease.  And with over 4 hours of battery life, not only will it last your entire shoot you can use it to top up the battery on your smartphone as well.

If you’re a Real Estate professional considering using drone imaging in your listings, you won’t regret it.  They may not be telling you, but your customers expect it.  They’re looking at listing from all over your region and seeing the value add that quality video and images make.  And they’re comparing what they see online with what you do, or don’t do.

Today’s drones are so intelligently designed, and are flown using smartapps that pretty much do all of the work for you.  You can even edit the videos right in the app, and post it to your Youtube channel right away.

Be sure to check out the tutorial videos that other real estate pros have posted on Youtube to help you get up to speed quickly on capturing the best angles and images to make your listings stand out from the crowd.